Hi SKA racious fiab, caught chiefly in the river Vistula, and, we belirve, also in ihc Baltic and North Seas : it generally measures l6 feet in length, and is upwards of 2 feet in breadth, weighing sometimes two hundred j>ounds. — ^The spawning SMiou of skates is in March and April : they are in the greatest )ex- fedion in the month of May ; but extremely thin and coarse from September to November. — The flesh of these fish is dressed in a nnanner simikir to eels ; and, though esteemed delicate eating, it is cal- culated only for the active and ro- bust. SKATING, a species of exercise upon the ice, jierforraed by means of skated, or wooden soies shod with iron, rescmblinsj in shape the heel of a ship : the whole is fasten- ed to the feet, by means of stnps. Skating is a healthy and elegant annisemeut, well calculated for the severityof winter; as it contributes to prpmote both insensible jierspi- ration, and the circulation of the blood. Hence, a Society has even beeu formed in Edinburgh, under the name pf the Skattng-dub ; the avowed objed of which is the im- provement of this recreation, so as to .'•educe it to the rules of art. — Excellence, however, can be at- tained only by observing the mo- tions of a skilful skater. Let it, therefore, suffice to observe, that this innocent pursuit, especially in the South of Britain, where the winters are generally mild, is high- ly tlangerous ; and ouqht not to be encouraged, unless the ice be of considerable thickness: at the same time, great precaution is necessary to retire from such enticing diver- »ion in proper time ; because the body, being- thrown into stnslbie SKI peispiration. Is thus rendered more susceptible of cold ; and, unless due attention be paid to this circum- stance, a fatal catasrh vnW pro- bably be the consequeuce. SKIX, signifies the general co- vering of animal bodies. Ot all the different integuments, bestowed by Nature on organized creatures, that of mankind is doubt- less tiie most admirable : it con- sists of three strata, each of which has its distinct purpose. 'X{^ first, namely, the epidermis oz scarj'-sldn, is thin and transparent, l>eing des- titute of nerves, as well as blood- vessels ; and covering the whole body. This part of the skin is void of sensation ; and consists of a sc- ries of laminae or scales, which arc increased by pressure and fridioD, becoming much thicker in one part of the body than in another ; for in- stance, in the hands and feet, which are perfectly calloas in persons ac- customed to hard labour. It pre- serves the interior parts from exter- nal injury ; and, if accidentally peeled off, or destroyed, it is spou- tane/ju>ly renewed. Between the scarf and the true skins, there is ^ second coax., termed rcle muccisum, a mucous mem» brane, disposed in a oet-likc form j and which may be dissolved by maceration in water ; while the texture of the two former remains unaltered. This membranous sub- stance contains the colour of the different nations of the globe. The third integument is called the cutis vera, or true skin, and consists of numerous fibres, which are closely interwoven, so as to form a thick membrane which ad- mits the filaments of the nervea, llie surface of this skin abounds uilh numerous papillae, or small ^hindji. K
